Budget Wedding- Hiring an amateur photographer?

Growing up, my parents had no photos of them on their wedding day. None whatsoever. So wedding photography wasn't actually the first thing I wanted to square away. You see, my mom always painted pictures with her words to describe her courthouse wedding and I loved that she was always okay with how it happened, because they never lost sight of the most important part - they married each other.

But flash forward to May, a few months after I got engaged and wanted some photos taken for save the dates. That's when I really had to think about photography and come to terms with only being able to afford an amateur photographer, and you know what? I'm okay with that. 

So, you probably think I'm crazy, but I figured I'd rather have paid a couple hundred dollars for someone who needs the experience to further their career and get SOME photos to show my kids, than not have any. Of course if you can afford all the bells and whistles of a professional, been in the game for years photographer I think you should go that route. But this for me wasn't about saving money, it was about having SOMETHING in terms of photography at all after we're married. So I have a few tips for hiring an amateur photographer:

1. Determine your budget and check/post in local budget wedding pages for someone in that price range. Don't be afraid to reach out to comments on other people posts too. I found all of the people I interviewed on a local budget bride page for under our budget.

2. Make sure you like their photos. It was important to me that I hire someone with a little experience doing weddings and that I like their end results. I still asked to see portfolios and made sure we could do a trial run (engagement shoot) before the wedding to make sure I had the best chance to make sure I liked what they delivered.

3. Look for people who take their photography seriously and seems to work well under pressure, ask for references.My photographer runs her studio out of her home, but it's very obvious she takes her business seriously and I really appreciated this about her. It's one of the things that really helped me make my decision.

4. Don't set your expectations too high. You have to understand that these people are probably learning and you aren't guaranteed incredible breath taking photos. That's not to say if you don't like their style you have to settle, but remember, you generally get what you pay for.

5. Make sure you ask if you can have unedited versions in case you want t have someone else edit them later. After the wedding you can always save up to have them edited by someone else. Ask around!

6. Finally, Sign a contract!!!! Seriously, read and don't be afraid to try and make changed and negotiate with them! Do you want your rehearsal dinner covered? Ask if they'll discount it if you also book your engagement shoot. My photographer gave us our engagement shoot for $20! And the pictures are gorgeous! Here are a couple of my favorites!

                              Photo Credit: Stephanie Copeland - Panda Paw Photography

At the end of the day, I've had a lot of people try to deter me from hiring my $200 photographer, but I also know that I really can't afford anything else, nor have I found someone I've clicked with so well. At the end of the day go with your gut, if you're uncomfortable hiring someone keep looking. Have faith that with some research and the right mindset you'll find the vendors you need in the right price range. That's all for today. 

-Courtney

The "Perfect" Relationship

 By Courtney

As a kid we grow up watching fairy tales and movies where two people fall in love and they live "happily ever after" we assume that means their love is perfect and their relationship is perfect. One thing I learned from dating is that every relationship is different. Not just the ones that don't work but also the ones that do. My dad once told me to never try and have the same kind of relationship as another couple. He had a point, His and my mom's relationship is wonderful but that type of relationship isn't one that would work for me. My grandparents are another good example they were very much in love until the very end and though I want that kind of love, they were faith based and happy to be a hard-working American dream kind of household. I actually respect them for that. But John and I have a very different relationship than them. So here is my theory:

We can disagree, we can feel differently about something, we can look at things from a different point of view because we are two different people. And that is perfectly fine. Actually I think that is something that makes us stronger. Yes we have little tiffs every now and then when we can't seem to see eye to eye, but we always work it out. To us that's the key: communication. Sometime we have to take a step back from each other and work through things on our own. Often times we have to stop and understand the situation from the other persons eyes. I think that is out biggest flaw, we are both very stubborn about things. But who's to say that that is right or wrong? It's right for us.

We've had friends tell us they want a relationship like ours, and I'm seriously here thinking "No. No you don't" not because our relationship is bad, it's very wonderful, fulfilling and loving, but our relationship is built on some pretty unique things. We've had similar life experiences even at this young of an age that have caused us to operate differently and one of the reasons we click so well is because we understand each other when to other people our words or actions might seem irrational. Of course that's not the only thing we bond over, we work very well as a team where I can be very creative, John is very grounded and somehow we manage to pull together and make things happen. We both like some similar music (country). I'm not going to say we are totally the same, we aren't, yes we have similar likes and dislikes, but we also have some big differences I throw myself into projects in a way that drives him insane because I wont focus on anything else, and he is very laid back and tends to wait until the last minute or does projects pretty slowly. I like to plan everything in advance and he is pretty go with the flow. But that's not a bad thing. We end up just balancing each other out.

Okay, so at this point you either think we are going to fall apart or that we are perfect for each other. Honestly, I don't care what you think of our relationship. He's my best friend and I know I am his. The point of this wasn't for you to get an inside look at our relationship, it was to share something I think is important: You are an individual. No Relationship is the same as another because we are all individuals. The point of relationships is to work as a team. If you're a serious couple do yourself a favor and just figure out how you work. Nobody's love life is perfect. Even the happiest most beautiful, fulfilling relationships need to be continually worked on. It's because we are all growing as people whether it be as a team or by yourself.  So don't try and be like the movies or your parents, be like you. Because you is pretty awesome.

Until next time,

Courtney